William J. Dussling: Candidate Profile

Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: Arlington HeightsWebsite: http://www.FriendsofDistrict214.comOffice sought: Northwest Suburban H.S. D214Age: 68Family: Married - Wife's Name - Patricia Three Children - Matthew, Katherine and Jessica - all are graduates of District 214 Two Grandchildren - Katherine and DietrichOccupation: Executive Director - The Enhanced Training Opportunites Program, Inc. - Mission is to educate and reskill manufacturing employees for new employment opportunities.Education: Bachelor of Arts, Ripon College - 1964Civic involvement: Omni Youth Services - Former Board MemberArlington Heights Frontier Days Festival - VolunteerSt. Edna Catholic Church Of Arlington Heights - LectorArlington Heights Special Events Commission - VolunteerArlington Heights Youth Basketball Assoc. - Former CoachAmerican Legion Post 208 - Arlington Heights - MemberVietnam Helicopter Pilots Association - MemberElected offices held: Member - District 214 Board of Education - Appointed 1998Member - District 214 Board of Education - Elected - 1999Member - District 214 Board of Education - Elected - 2003Vice Pres.- District 214 Board of Education - 2003 - 2004President - District 214 Board of Education - 2004 - 2007Member - District 214 Board of Education - Elected - 2007President - District 214 Board of Education - 2009 - 2011Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 I want to have the district maintain its ability to provide students with a world class education in an uncertain world impacted by difficult financial times and pressures from the State and Federal governments.Key Issue 2 I want to have the district continue its awareness of the impact that current difficult financial times are having on members of the community --- those with or without children in our schools.Key Issue 3 I want to have District 214 Community Education continue to be a source of life long learning and enrichment opportunities for the adults of our community.Questions Answers Do you support, or would you try to change, District 214's plan to begin phasing out traditional class rank in 2013, replacing it with the #8220;quartile#8221; system?I support the introduction of the quartile system in District 214's schools. Most colleges and universities confirm that admission is based on a holistic review of the student's high school experience presented in the application and that class rank is not that meaningful. Reporting class rank can even be detrimental to some students' ability to be accepted at higher learning institutions.What is the most serious issue affecting teens today? How should District 214 address the situation?The ability of teens to make positive decisions is the most serious issue for them today. The society we live in presents many situations where teens must make a decision that can be life affecting even while they are in high school. District 214 directly addresses the process of making positive decisions by educating students about current issues and societal pressures to provide them with a full understanding of the alternatives available so they can make positive decisions while they are in high school and to prepare them to make positive decisions after they leave high school.What is your opinion on tax increment financing districts? If one of the villages included in District 214 wanted to extend their TIF district another 12 years, what would be your reply?I understand the need for municipalities to rejuvenate blighted business areas to enhance community and commercial viability. I support the Board's request that municipalities consider the impact of TIF's on schools and that they consider and utilize financing other than TIF's. If TIF financing is decided upon, I support the request that a significant amount of increased tax revenue be shared with school districts during the life of the TIF. I believe that a TIF should not be extended or modified unless a substantial annual allocation of the increased tax increment is made available to our district.Should District 214 use drug sniffing dogs to search student locker and hallways?District 214 has used drug sniffing dogs at several high schools for a number of years. The use of dogs has been very positive because the district has educated students that the dogs are utilized for their safety and the students have accepted that philosophy. I support the continued use of drug sniffing dogs. Dist. 214 did not comment on, nor did they discipline a former football coach convicted on one DUI charge and charged with another. Was that the right call? Further, when the board fires or disciplines an employee, should the public be told why?The district cannot legally confirm or deny disciplinary actions that are taken in individual cases due to privacy laws and liability that may result from disclosure. Each case depends on the individual situation and the advice the district receives from its legal counsel.